Machine for treating hides and skins



Sept. 28, 1943. w. Iv}. CUTLER 2,330,271

MACHINE FOR TREATING RIDES AND ,SKINS Filed May 3, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet l igcl.

AQQZ/Q/LXk/EKN TUR I If...

Sept. 28, 1943. w. M. CUTLER MACHINE FOR TREATING RIDES AND SKINS Filed May 3, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 28, 1943. 2,330,271

W. M. CUTLER MACHINE FOR TREATING HIDES AND SKINS Filed May 5, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 28, 1943.

w. M. CUTLER MACHINE FOR TREATING HIDES AND SKINS Filed May 3, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 28, 1943 MACHINEFOR TREATING HIDES AN SKINS Wallace M. Cutler, Gloucester, Mass, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application'llfla y 3, 1941, Serial No.-391 ,743

23 Claims.

Ihis invention relates to machines for treating hides and skins and is herein illustrated as embodied in a machine for performing putting-out and wringing operations upon wet hides or skins. It is to be understood, however; that the invention in various novel aspects is not thus limited in use and various important features thereof may have other applications and uses.

It is an object of the present invention tofacilitate the introduction of sheet material into the grip of work treating rolls with which machines of the above-mentioned type are provided. and more particularly to facilitate the introduction of work pieces such as wet hides and skins. 7 Since workpieces of that character are flaccid difficulty has been experienced heretofore in introducin such work pieces into the work treating rolls. It is, accordingly, a further object of the invention to provide improved means which will not only spread out the hide or skin but will at the same time advance it into the bite of the rolls. A still further object is to provide for ready control of the combined spreading and feeding-in means by the operator so that the action of this means may be suited to the individual work piece.

For the purposes in view and in accordance with one feature of the invention the work spreading means is located in close juxtaposition to a pair of work treating rolls to spread out the work piece just before it enters the bite of the rolls, it being a marked advantage of the new work spreading means that it spreads successive portions of the work piece and keeps them under lateral tension as such portions enter the grip of the rolls, thereby eliminating the formation of creases or folds even in such difi'icult work as that presented by wet hides or skins.

In the illustrated construction, the work spreading means is so constructed as to be effective to advance the work piece edge-on toward and into the bite of the work treating rolls. This construction makes itpossible to enter a flaccid piece of work at one end thereof into a work treating means and complete the treatment thereof in one passage through the machine, whereas it has heretofore been common practice to enter a flaccid work-piece at or near its transverse median line and treat approximately onehalf thereof and then to re-enter such workpiece tocomplete treatment thereof.

Conveniently, manually controllable means is provided in conjunction with the work spreading means to enable the operator to vary at will the tension at which the spreading operationis performed, so that the latter may be suited to work.

pieces which vary in thickness and in stretchability, Such manual control also enables the operator to apply greater spreading pressure on' the work piece at one side of the median line thereof than on the other side and thus to correct any tendency to sidewise displacement of the work piece while it is being fed to the work treating rolls. Preferably also means is provided under the control of the operator for varying the pressure of the wringing rolls independently of the tension-in the work piece during-the spread-' ing operation. Itis, therefore, possible so torelate the operation of thework treating rolls with respect to the .work spreading means as to enable the operator to increase or to reduce substantially the spreading tension on thefwork-piecein any given 7 case with or without a corresponding change in the wringing pressure, whereby work pieces differing in thickness and in other qualities may be suitably spread out prior to-the: operation of the Worktreating rolls on successive portions of the work piece. 7

These and otherimportant features of the invention including various novel details of con- .struction' and combinations of parts will now be described in detailin the specificationand then pointed out more particularly in the appended claims. I, I a I In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a machine i11u-' trating one embodiment of theinvention; f

Fig. 2 is a view looking in the direction'of the arrow 2 in Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a similar view looking in thedirection of the arrow 3 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken the line IVIV of Fig; l

along Fig. 5 is an assemblyof two plan views, vone lookingupwardly fromtheline V and the other plan view looking downwardly from a similar line VinFig. 3; 1 I

Fig. 6 is asection taken along the line VIV'I of Fig.1; 1 I

Fig, '7 is a similar view taken along the line VIII-VIII of Fi 1.

In the illustratedmachine, which is specially designed to perform wringingoperations upon hides and skins, thereare provided upper and lower wringing rolls l0 and I2 ..(Fig. 4) mounted respectively in .blocks I4 and I6 which are slidably'supported in arms l8 and 20. It is to be understood that there are two pairs of arms l8 and 2;!I (Fig. 1), one pair at each endof the ma chine and that the rolls I3 and I2 extend the whole width of the machine. Preferably, the arms l8 and are pivotally mounted upon parallel shafts 24, 26 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) which extend the full length of the machine and are supported by suitable hearings in the frame 28. For adjusting the lower arm 20 about its pivot 26 there are provided hand screws 30 screw threaded into extensions 32 from the end frames (Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive). Each upper arm !8 has fixedly secured thereto a bracket 34 (Figs. 2 and 3) to which is pivoted a piston rod 36' secured at its lower end to a piston 33 slidable in a cylinder 40'. It will be readily understood that air may be forced into the lower end of each cylinder 40 to, effect upward movement of the pistons 38 whereby the arms 18 will be caused to move in aclockwise direction (Figs. 3 and 4) aboutthe pivot shaft 24 thereby increasing pressure upon the work piece at the time between the wringing rolls Ill and I2. Tolimit downward movement of the arms l8 about the pivot shaft 24 (Fig. 3) there is provided in connection with each arm IS an adjustable screw-42 carried by a bracket 43 rigid with the machine frame, it being understood that prior to entrance of a work piece between the wringing rolls H3 and I2 the latter may be'separated by movements of the pistons 38 in a downward direction (Fig. 3) which will lift the upper arms i8, and that additional pressure for 'the wringing operation may be secured through operation of the pistons 38in the cylinders 40 in an upward direction, as heretofore described.

Means is preferably provided under control of the operator for operating the pistons 38 to separate the rolls l0 and I2 or alternatively to increase the wringing pressure. For this purpose there is provided a geared pump (Fig. 2) arranged to be driven by any suitable means such as an electric motor 52 (Fig. 1). Connected to the chamber of the pump 50 by a pipe 54 is a valve member 58 in the form of a cylinder 59 having slidably mounted therein a double piston ver 66.

sure liquid by a relief or return pipe 56. When the hand lever 66 is moved in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 1), liquid under pressure passes from the cylinder 59 through pipes'68, 10

to both cylindersAlLsuch liquid under pressure entering the upper ends of the cylinders-40, as most clearly shown in Fig. 3, and forcing the pistons 38 downwardly thereby effecting movement of .the arms I8 in a counterclockwise direction (Figs. 3 and 4) about their pivot shaft 24 to separate the wringing rolls H) and [2 to decrease the pressure of the wringing operation andto facilitate the introduction of a work piece. Movement of the manually operable lever 66 in the reverse direction moves the double piston 60, 62 to the left in Fig. l to a point where the pressure pipe 54 is connected to pipes H through pipe I3 whereby the pressure liquid reaches the bottoms of the cylinders 40 to increase the pressure of the wringing rolls l0 and I2. As shown, the top and bottom ports of the cylinders t6 are alternately connected to relief sides of the valve 58; whereby pressure is relieved in the cylinders 40 and in corresponding parts of the valve cylinder 59 by passage of the pressure medium through the relief pipe 56 back to the reservoir 63.

It is to be understood that the hydrauliccircuit will be provided with a relief valve setfor a relatively low pressure, said valve being readily adjustable to enable the operator to adjust the pressure for different batches of work.

In order that wringing operations may be effectively performed, the wringing rolls It] and [2 are constructed of small diameter, since it has been found that the smaller the wringing roll the more effectively it wrings moisture from the wet hide or skin. In order to support such relatively slender wringing rolls and prevent bowing thereof, there are provided rubber covered backing rolls 89. (Fig. 4:) also mounted in the arms [8 and 20, respectively.

Meanslis provided, in accordance with my in- Vention, to spread in lateral directions away from a median line thereof a hide or skin being advanced edge-on toward the bite of the wringingl rolls It) and I2. In the illustrated construction, the spreading means comprises a plurality of spreader members (Figs. 1, 4 and 5), said members being in the form of plates substantially wedgeshapedlincrosssection (Fig. 4) so that the relatively sharp edges of each wedge may be presented close up into an angle between the upper andlower wringing-rolls land 12. Thespreader members 98' are carried by endless sprocket chains 92, 9 Scandal? (Fig. 5). In other words, the spreader members 92.) are arranged in four sets of which the two upper sets are carried by chains 92, 94-, respectively; in an arrangement in which the-endleSschain-QZ is carried at its opposite-ends by sprocket wheels I90 at thelowerends of a driven shaft I92 (Figs. 4 and 5) and an idle shaft I04, both of these shafts being mounted in journal members I06, 188; respectively, integral with a sleeve H0 rotatable on a shaft H2 fixed at itsoppcsite ends in the forward ends ofthe upper arms i8. Similarly, the endless sprocket chain 95 is carried at its opposite ends by sprockets on the lower ends of'a driven and an idle shaft corresponding exactly to the driven shaft H12 and the idler shaft I04 (Fig; 4) which support and-operatethe endless sprocket chain 92. It will be observed that the two idler shaftslfld are spaced from each other so that the spreader members 90 may have room to rotate-about the centers of the two idler shafts 404 inpassing from the inoperative run or line to the operative run orline of spreader members in the direction indicated by the arrows H 4 in Fig. 5; In this connection it will be noted that the chain 92-is longer-than the chain 941 Similarly, the lower chain 98'is longer than the lower chain 96, and the idler shafts 4E5 (corresponding to the upper idler shafts I04) are spaced'from each other ontheother-side of the median line of the machine indicated by the line the idler shafts IE5 in the direction of the arrows H6 in Fig. 5 inpassing from the inoperative run or line of spreader members to the op- "erative run or line ofspreader members.

bers 163 lflil carried by sleeves H0 on. the

lower shaft I I2 these parts corresponding exactly to the shafts 'I 02', I04 and the journal member I06, I08 carried'by the sleeve III) on the upper shaft I I2.

The spreader members 90 are provided on their Work contacting surfaceswith elements'whi'ch have the effect of engaging the hide or skin as said spreader members move away from each other on opposite sides of a line corresponding to the median line of the hide or skin entering the bite between. the wringer rolls I and I2. In the illustrated construction, the work engaging elements on the spreader members 90 are in the form of ribs I20. It will be noted that the ribs I29 on spreader members or plates: 90 in both upper and lower setsof spreader plates to the right of the median line IVIV (Fig.. 5) of the machine are inclined in directions to co-operate with each other in engagingthe upper and lower surfaces of a hide or skin to spread the engaged portions to the right away from said median line and that the said ribs I on. the spreader members or plates to the left of said median line are inclined at different angles (from those at the right) to engage and spread the hide or skin portions to the left away from saidmedian line, so that the two sets of upper and lower spreader members spread the hide or skin in opposite directions away from the median line thereof and place it under tension prior to its entrance edge-on into the bite of the wringing rolls I8 or I2. will operate at a speed such that the workpiece will be under some tension in that portion extending between said rolls and the spreader member-9!].

If desired, the sole function of ribs on the spreader members may be to effect the spreading action just described. However, in the illus trated construction, the ribs I20 are so arranged angularly on the spreader members 90 as to exert a component of force in the forward direction thereby effecting a feeding-in of the hide or skin, that is, in a direction to advance the forward end of the hide or skin into the biteof the wringer rolls I0 and I2. This arrangement of the ribs I29 will be utilized in all of those cases in which water is being removed from wet hides and skins since in this case the hides or skins-are so flaccid that it is difficult to advance the forward ends thereof into engagement with the wringer rolls Where the hides or skins are relatively dry and are'being fed into the bite of rolls havinga function other than that of wringing waterfrom work pieces, it is contemplated that the ribs may be so arranged as to have only a spreading action on successive portions of the work piece as the latter is progressed through the bite of the work treat ing rolls. In the latter case, the members 99 may be regarded as spreader blades, and the chains 92, 94, 96, and 93 as bladed chains or belts.

To facilitate introduction of work pieces into the machine and to cover the idle run or line of the work spreading members associated with the lower chains 96 and 98, there isprovided a mem ber I39 (Figs. 1, 4 and 5) which may be of metal or other suitable sheet material and which serves as a guard and also as a work support. This member I30 extends toward the work treating rolls'Io and I2, as shown in Fig. 4, but leaves uncovered the operative runs or lines of lower spreader members, as clearly indicated in the plan view shown in Fig. 5, so that these spreader members may contact the lower surface of the work piece being shoved 'over the work supporting partof the guard I30: Furthermore, this'guard Preferably the rolls IIJ and l2 I30 has an extension at I32 (Fig. 5) which covers the space where the lower spreader members are turning about the axes of the s'hafts me, as indicated by the arrows IIo, 'this'projecting portion I32 of the guard :servingalso to support the forward edge of the hideor skinagainst the pressure of acertain number of the upper spreading members 90 which are carried by the endless belt 923 in the operative run or line thereof. Similarly, there is provided also an upper" guard member I34 (Figs. 1, land 5) which protects the operator from the spreader members moving along inopposite directions from the median line of the machine in theirwinoperative'runs or lines, these spreader members being carried by the upper chains 62 and 94. The guard member I34 also. has anextension I36 (Fig. 5) whichcovers theIspace where. the spreader members 90 are making their turn about the axes of the shafts I84 from the inoperative runs-of such spreader members to the operative runs or .lines thereof, as indicated by the arrows I I4 in Fig. 5. This guardextension- I36 serves also as 'a backing for the work piece that is being engaged bythe spreader members Bil carried by the lower chain 98 adjacent to .the median-line of the machine.

It will be clear, then, thatthe guard extensions I32 and I36 furnish a support orabacking for the workpiece in those places where the spreader members themselves. cannot offer backing or support because of the fact that they' r'nust have space to turn from the inoperative to the operative runs of said members, as most clearly shown; inFig.5.. I r v i In the illustrated machine, means is provided. to enable the operator to vary at will the pressure of the spreading operation by the spreader members and therefore the tension of the spreading: operation in relation to any given work piece in accordance with the thickness and other characteristics such as the 'stretchability ofsaid work piece. Thismeans comprises two pairs of levers I48, I42 connected to the .upper sleeves IIB, that is, a pair of levers at the outerend of each sleeve I II on the shaft I I2, the levers I48 being secured to said sleeve. As shown in Fig.6, the lever-I42 is rotatable on the sleeve HE and is secured toa bracket I44, rigid with a stationary frame member I46, by means of a bolt I48. Pivoted to the upper ends of the levers I43, I42 is a pair of toggle links I56, I52, the link I52 having integral therewith a lever member I54, the arrangement being such that swinging of the lever I54 in the direc tion of thearrow in Figs. 4 and 6 will result in' counterclockwise movement of the sleeve IIIlon the shaft II2 with the result that the upper sets of spreader members in their operative runs or lines are depressed toward the lower set ofthe machine arejoined by abar I56 (Fig. 1)

which extends clear across the front of the ma-1 chine within easy reach of the operator. Set screws I5! may be adjusted .to var the normal position of the upper spreader members with, respect to the work piece. Similarly, the sleeves IIIB on the lower shaft H2, which sleeves carry journal bearings I06, H38 for thelower sets ofi sprocket, shafts its, 15,, respectively; are; also nrq ded; with levers; I651, I162 (Flesh; and '71) of w ich. he levers 162 are fixedly secured; to the sleeve M055 the: lever I69: beingtrotatablet with res ect; to. the sleeve; and. being: secured; to a bracket I;6 4-, rigid; with astationary frame member .5.. by; means; of a, bolt. LE8. (Fig; '7;). Air their upper ends the levers. LfiiL. L62havenivotallit connected; thereto as pain of toggle links. I10, I12; he link: li'lfiihaivin rieidtherewith ales/er. k113i the arrangement bein i such; that movement: of; the lever I;'l4;in, the-directioniof the; arrow. in .Figs.;e and .e. .u tsin swinging of. the sleevesrlztfle -in a QlQQlWlEQ di ection to,.1i;t: the lower; sets. of spreader; members, i the operative rumor; line thereof,- toward, the upper spreader; members; thereby; increasing the pressure or the; smceader members on the, work. piece with:the.result::thatra greater spreading, effect .is. produced: on. the. work piece; just; as it; is: entering; intothe. bite. of the work: r et ne'rons, I01 and; i2; As shown, the levers I14, at. each end: of; themachine are cone negted by a bar; I 165 (Fig; 1) withimeasy reach: of; the operator so,,that-the operatorv may. increase the efiect of either the upper or.- the' lower set :of; spreader members. or; of, both. sets of. spreader inem rs: where they. are contacting, with: the workp ece Set screws. I" may. be adjustedato vary; the normal position; of; the lower sprcaders with respect tq the Workzpiece- While asstatcd; above,.variation in pressure i he.- .115 .o i preader. plates 93; upon a work piece; introducedbetween; them: may be -for the purpose of accommodating the pressure-toiworlc pieces different im thickness and in other characteristics; suchas stretchability, the mostl im gljfidi fi use of the handoperatem mechanism for adiusting the spreading: pressure. with" respect a to tlre work piece is; that; which relatesito I the mai rvtenance ofi-the proper. feedingdn: of the-work piece with respectto the Worktreating rolls l and-J It will fine,- understood dn thistconnectiona hat i de I-.'.SkiI1LWil1-'be presented -to the machinewith; the. backbone line thereof coinciding .as -nearly ascmaya be; reasonably practicable Withthe median line of. thermachinaas indicated by th e, dine IV- '-IV;,0f Figs. 1 and: of the: drawings- This is becauseithe. sets-of; spreaderplates are; arranged-Jo, travel. in opposite directions from-.this'median line. However; it:isrbut seldom thaig'a work piece isisymmetrical. with respect to .n edian or 1 backbflncvliner Iiiother: Words; there-.isnsuaHy substantially morehideron skim r mnpneside of|th1e backbonelinefthan onvthe other side. Hence, thelspreaderq devices-son-oneside having. more hide or-skin substance. tmcom, tact on. thatside than on;the other-are 'very' apt: to car ry the, hide or skin laterally away fromathe: median line, of-themachine. As SOOHCESLthiS bec m ea l tail. thQs-OBELatDr: prevents: or, corrects. such dislocation of;;the work piece. by. pressing upwaldly on. the levers :J E-flrand: ;I Minn that sideof the machineiwherethe lessen-ascent thehide or skin is being engagedmy thezout'e, wardly moving presser plates. By= thus.. ncreasing;the,pressure of thcse-spreaden plates on-rthe;

side of; lesser area, the operator is; enabled ,:to.

end: offtha-mach'ine: inpreference-to the similar levers: attherother end offthe;machine, the operator has only to press upwardly on the bars H56 I116 at; a; point. or points adjacent to: the levers. whiclr it. is desired to operate,..this-. being tmemncause: of the fact that the: rods I56; I 16 are: long: andiwith more orless; tendency to give on yield. at; one: mall with; respect. to: the other end thereon, so; that upward movement of: said bars 156,. ["16 wiltefiectr one; set 011 levers; I54, I14 them the other: set; depending; upon the mini: off applications of pressure upom said bars laid, 1115;

ASihEl'BiIOfOEQ stated;. the: sprocket: shafts I92 located. atiti'rea outen endsiofithe endless spreader chainstfi, 91'} and also sprocket shafts I83 for chains 95 andi gfi irespectivelyg are driven shafts; powenheingsuppll'ed! thereto: by? means. of upper and lowerrshafts I803 (Figs..2'.and 3) each of whiclr: carriesa'dja'cent its ends bevel gears I82 (Fig.4? constantly in mesh with bevel gears- I 84 atithe-upper and lowertendsg respectively, ofthe driven sprocket shafts I82: and" I033 As shownihfigsshandQ; power for drivin'g the movable parts offitli'e machine is supplied bythe eleetric motor: 5Z'mounted on one of the frames 28. pulley lfill on the' motor shaft drives a largenpulley I92, ata reduced speed, on a stub shaft I941 Corrvenienfly; a" pinion I96 on the stubshaft 'lM is in constantmesh with a gear I98 secured to theshaft Zh in' a construction in Wl'iich'a gear ZOZ onthe'shaft 26 drives a gear 204 fastened orr the sh'aft fi il A's shown-in Fig. 2, the shafts?! and 2 8 -have-secured thereto sprocket 5 wheels 2B8 adapted to drive, through link chains 21-8, sliaftsZI-I ofthe largeroll's'8M thelatter serving to furnish backing for the-wringing 'rolls lfl and l-2, respectively. Also-mounted on theshafts 2 l and= 25= are"sprocket wheels' 2i4 each' adapted to drive through a-link== chain 216 one of a pair ofsprocket-wh'eels ZIB- (Fig: 2) which arefree err-the reduced ends of the shait's I I2 and I 'IZ Fixedlysecuredto-the-sprocket wheels 21'8 -are sprockets 224 each adapted" to drive through a-1lnk'-chain-225"bne of the'pair of shafts IBM-at a-=relatively"high rateoh'speed'. Since the shafts I "are connected through bevel pinions (which serve as the-drivingmeans for 'theendless spreader-chain-'-belts) it follows-that? these belts are'dri-ven' at" a rate to be: effctive'in' spreading thehide or skin prior "to" its entrance into the gripof the wringerrolls' IQ and 'I onthe-other'endspf theshaft'sZ -T and '28; as

dfive'through lirik-chairisZtZ', sprockets Mtfree on-t-he other endsoftheshafts HZand "I f2; Integrai-witlior fixedlysecured-tothe sprockets 244' are sprockets-251] adapted to'drive'through link chains 2 52*and sprockets 254"the "shafts I601 on the left side-of' the -machin'efi At one'side' 'of' the lowerrsprocket 2% ma gear 256"meshirig witlra gear-258 on the shaftwfthe:lower wringer roll I ZFanddriV'mgf it'f'in; the. proper direction. I By means of intermeshinggearsmot shown) onthe shafts ofjtherollsiifand I2, the latterr are driven inmrjoper relation to. each other. While'fa. detailed; description. has been. giveni of "the illus-- trated driving.- mechanismrfor the, wringerrolls and the sets'ni spreader. belts itistto be understoodwthataotherdriving means may -be substiw tilted," sincewthenpanticularh drivingmeans disclosediorms no. part of. the invention, I

Iide'sired other means than the-backing rolls "the hide or skin is not only put out in extended 80 may be providedto prevent displacement of the wringing rolls l and I2 while under heavy pressure. {is shown in Fig. 4, the journal memhers I 08, 108*- have' projections which carry backing plates 2'! which bear against the wringing rolls ID and I2 to support the latter against bowing forwardly during increased pressure thereon. Since the bearing surfaces of the plates 210 are substantially on arcs struck from the centers of the shafts I I2, I I2, the aid bearing surfaces retain the same relation to the rolls l0 and l 2 during adjustment of the sleeves H0, HEB by the levers I54 and I14, as above described. Again, such means may be in the form of laterally disposed rods or rolls contacting the wringing rolls to'prevent lateral bowing thereof, such a construction being hown in UnitedStates Letters Patent No. 295,948, granted April 1, 1884, upon application of W. A. Sawyer.

In the operation of the machine, power is applied to drive the sets of spreader members and the work treating rolls in and I2, all as above described. The operator-introduces the forward end of a hide or skin over the combined guard and work supporting member I36 by shoving it over said member I30 until the forward end thereof is engaged between the upper and lower sets of spreader members 90 which are traveling in opposite directions from the median line of the machine and of'the hide or skin which will be presented with a median line thereof substantially coinciding with the median line of the machine. Since the ribs I20 are arranged, in

. the illustrated construction, not only to effect spreading of the hide or skin but also a feeding-in operation thereof, the work piece, although fiac'cid and therefore difiicult to advance in the direction of the bite of the rolls l0 and I2, will be moved in that direction by the said feeding-in and spreader members 90. Finally, the forward edge of the work reaches the rolls l0 and i2 which not only operate on the work piece but assist markedly in feeding it in while the spreader members continue to spread out the suc-' piece, thus suiting the spreading pressure to the.

particular Work piece undergoing treatment.

Greater pressure by the spreader membersqon that portion of a ;hide or skin, at one side offthe median line thereof will tend to shift the hide or skin to that side of the median line of the machine, thus enablingl the operator to correct any tendency, of. a given hide or skin to side-slip, whereby. correct feeding of the hide, .or skin in a direction parallel to the backbone line may be readily maintained. By means of the spreadingv devices herein disclosed the hide or skin is kept able to remove'the greater part of said'moisture before subjecting it to any other treatment, In its passage through the machine herein disclosedcondition but ha a greater part of the moisture wrung therefrom by the wringing rolls in and I2.

Having'described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for treating sheet material, a pair of work treating rolls between which a work piece is passed in one direction to complete treatment thereof upon one introduction into the machine, and power-driven spreader devices 10- cated-on thefeeding-in side of the work treating rolls and mounted to project closely up into the anglebetween said rolls, said spreader devices being operativeto spread the entering end of the work piece in lateral directions from a median line thereof and to present such entering end 'edge on to the rolls in properly spread out condition, said devices operating also to spread successive portions of the work piece and to hold each portion in spread-out condition for the op-' eration of thework treating rolls.

2. In a machine for treating sheet material, a pair of work treating rolls between which a work piece is passed for treatment to complete treatment'thereofupon one introduction into the machine'anda plurality of sets of spreading devices located on the feeding-in side of the work treating rolls and movable in opposite directions from the medianline of the machine and operative close up in'the'angle between said rolls to .place the entering end of the work piece in spread out conditicn'for entrance edge-on to said rolls.

3. In a machine for treating sheet material, a pair of work treating rolls between which a work piece is passed for treatment, a plurality of sets of work engaging members movable in opposite directions from'the median line of the machine to exert a spreading action on thETWOIk' piece simultaneously with the movement of thework piece into the grip of the work treating rolls, and manually controllable "means to exert greater spreading pressure on the work piece on one side of such median line than on the other side thereof.

4. In a machine for treating sheet material, a

pair of work treating rolls between WhiChB; work piece is passed for treatment. a plurality of sets of spreader members'arranged to engage oppositesurfaces of the work piece and movable in opposite directions from the median line of the machine and of the work piece, the sets of spreader members on one side of the median line being mounted independently of the sets on the other side thereof, and means under the control of the operatcnto exert greater pressure on the sets of spreader members on one side of the line than on the other sets, thereby to control the direction of movement of the work piece and to correct any tendency for sidewise movement of the workpiece while it is being fed into said work treating rolls.

5; In a machine for treating hides and skins, a pairof work treating rolls between which the hide'or skin ispasse'd in one direction only, and a power-driven feeding-in device located on the feeding-in sideof the work treating rolls and mounted to project into' the angle between said rolls, said feeding-in device being operative not I only to feed the work piece edge-on into the grip of the'rolls but also to spread out in lateral directions the entering end of the work piece to insure that it is properly presented to the-rolls with alt-folds and wrinkles effaced.

.6; In :a machine for treating hides and skins, =a :pair of work treating :rolls :betweenwhich the hide crskin is massed :for :treatment, ,said rolls being operated to rotate in opp s rections, .anda feeding-in device located onthe feeding-in side of the Work treating rolls and mounted to p oject closely into the angle between said rolls :to deliver the .ihidfi ;or skin edge-ion to sa d rolls said feeding-in device having elements moving .in opposite directions from :about "the middle points of the lengths :of :said :rolls to "spread out the hide :or skin'before it is..engaged:by the T0118. .7. In a machine for treating hides and skins, a :pair of work treating rolls between-which the hide or skin is passed for treatment :to complete treatment thereof :upon-one introduction into the machine, and :a iplurality -;of sets of {feed n in devices located on :the feeding-1m side of the work-treating rolls and movable in opposite di rections from the median line of the machineand perativeolcse up inthe-anele between said rolls to direct the entering end of the work piece edge-on to said rolls. 8. .Ima machine for treating hides and-skins, a Pair of .work treating rolls between which the hide or skinis 'passed for treatment, and a 1 1 rality :of sets oof work engaging members located on the feeding-in side :of the work treating rolls and movable in opposite directions from the median qlineiof the :machine andoperating close up .in the angle between :said *rolls to feed the hide or 'skin edge-cn rinto the grip of said rolls and also to exert a spreading action simultan ously withthe feeding-in operation :so that the hide or skin is properly spread out in lateral directions at :the same time :t at t is being pr sented to the grip of the work treating rolls.

:9. 'In a machine :for treating .hides and skins. a rnairiof work treating rolls between which the hide or skin is :passed -for-.treatment, ctr-plurality oft-sets of spreader zmembers'mcvable in opposite directions ifrom :the ,median linef the machine, the .sets of spreader ;members on one side of the median iline being :mounted independently of the sets on the other side thereof, and means under the control of the operator 'to-cause the sets of spreaderimembers on one side of the line to exert greater spreading pressureon the hide or skin than the corresponding spreader members on the-other side of the line, thereby -to control the directionof movement of the 'hide '0! skinand to correct any Itendency ifor sidewise movement of thehide or skin while it'is beingcfediintoysaid work treating rails.

:10. In aimachine for treatingihides -and skins, a mair of work treating rolls between which the skin is passed EfOl treatment thereof, and a pair of :bladed belts having their operative irlms mov-- ing zin opposite directions {from ,a center line of the machineandmf the hideor skin, each bladed belt having .arelativcly thin edge and said opera tive runs so being mounted as to project said thinedge closely'into ithe angiezbetween said-rolls to aeficct spreading-out of the hide orskin closely adjacent to the rolls as successive portions of thehideor skin are, -being presented to the latter.

:11. {In :a machine for treating hides and skins, a pair of :work treating rolls between which the skin :is passed for treatment thereof, and pairs of bladed belts nc-operathig with each other to engage o osite surfaces-of the hide or skin, each bladed rbelt wedgebhaped in cross section and said pairs of bladed-beltshavingtheiroperative runs so mounted as to project the thin edge of the wedge .closely into the angleibetween the work treating rolls to spread the hide or skin transversely oflits directionof-travelas successive portions-of the latter are presented to said work treating rolls.

12. ,-In a machine for treating hides andskins, a pair of work treating rolls between which the ,hide or skin is passed for treatment thereof, :a pair of bladed chain belts movingin opposite directions from a center line of themaohine and of the hide or skin to effect spreadingout oi the latter as successive portions of the hide or skin are being presented to the work treating rolls, a shaft extending parallel to :said "work treating rolls, and sleeves'onsaid shaft having ,a supporting ianddriving mechanism for the bladed chain belts, saidsleevesrbeitl adjustable ontheir supporting shaft to vary the pressure of the bladed chain belts on the hide .orrskin and thusregulate the spreading effect of the bladed :Chain belts "on the hide-or skin.

13. In a machine for treating hides and skins, a :pair of work treating rolls between which the hide or skin is passed for treatment thereof, a pair of bladed chain belts mov ng zm'DPPOSltE ,directions from a center line of the machine and of the hide or skin to effect spreading out of the latter as successive portions of the hide or skin are being presented to the work treating rolls, sprockets and sprocket-carrying shafts for supporting and operating-said ,bladedchain belts, a shaft extending parallel to said work treating rolls, and sleeves on the last-mentioned shaft h ving a supp r ing str ure for the sprocketcarrying shafts, said sleeves being adjustable about their supporting shaft to vary the pres sgre of the bladed chain be ts on the hide or s in.

14. In a machine for treating hidesflnd skins, a pair -of work treating .rolls between which the hide or skin is pa sed for treatment there upper and lower pairs of bladed belts coeoperatin with each other to en op si e surfaces of the hide or skin to spread the latt r tr ns versely of its direction oftravel as successive portions of the hide or @skin .are presented to said work treating rolls, sprockets endsprocketcarrying shafts for supporting and operatin said bladed chain belts, upper and lower shafts extending ,parallel to said work treating irolls and sleeves on the last-mentioned shafts each havin .a supporting structure for sprocket-carrying shafts, said sleeves being adjustabl about their supporting shafts ,to vary the ,pressure of the bladed chain belts on the hide or skin between them- .l 5. In iarnachinefor treating hides and skins, a pa r .of work tr ating rolls between which he skin is bassed for treatment thereo and a p 1- ality f work treating members m vablein oppcsite dir ctions from a m dian ll n -qf the .machine and of the skin t sp ead he l ter transve ely of its direction of travel before it en ers the bite of the work treating roll said .members having ribs d sposed thereon .in an u ar relationrto the direction of traveler the members and .of said cribs such as to reflect Lox-ward .movement of the hide or skin at the same time that another component -.of the force exerted by the ribs spreads the hide or skin prior tothe entrance ofnthe latter into th bite of the work treating ro. s.

16. In a machine for treating hides and skins, a pair of work treating rolls between which the skin i passed for treatment thereof and a pair of endless traveling members carrying plates having ribs on the Work contacting surfaces thereof, said ribs being arranged on the surfaces of the plates to exert a force to spread portions of the skins laterally away from a median line of the skin, the said ribs being exposed at an angle such as to exert a force to feed the hide or skin in a direction toward the bite of the work treating rolls, whereby the hide or skin is not only spread by the ribbed plates but is fed into the bite of the work treating rolls.

17. In a machine for treating hides and skins, a pair of work treating rolls between which the skin is passed for treatment thereof, endless traveling members having their operative runs moving away from each other upon opposite sides of a median line of the machine and of a hide or skin, and plates carried by said endless members, said plates having ribs on the work contacting surfaces thereof to operate on the hide or skin to spread the same before each successive portion thereof enters the bite of the work treating rolls, and said plates being wedge shaped in cross section whereby a thin edge portion of each of said plates is presented close up into the angle between the upper and lower work treating rolls so that each successive portion of a hide or skin is under control of said ribbed plates just prior to its engagement by said work treating rolls.

18. In a machine for treating hides and skins, a pair of work treating rolls between which the skin is passed for treatment thereof, means furnishing support for the hide or skin closely adjacent to the bite between said rolls, endless traveling members above the work supporting means having their operative runs moving away from each other upon opposite sides of a median line of the machine and of a hide or skin, and plates carried by said endless members, said plates having ribs on the work contacting surfaces thereof to operate on the hide or skin to spread the same before each successive portion thereof enters the bite of the work treating rolls, and said plates having their ribbed work contacting surfaces arranged in a substantially horizontal plane to cooperate with said Work supporting means in spreading the hide or skin prior to its entrance into the bite of the work treating rolls.

19. In a machine for treating hides and skins, a pair of work treating rolls between which the skin is passed for treatment thereof, endless traveling members having their operative runs moving away from each other upon opposite sides of a median line of the machine and of a hide or skin, plates carried by said endless members, said plates having ribs on the work contacting surfaces thereof to operate on the hide or skin to spread the same before each successive portion thereof enters the bite of the work treating rolls, and upper and lower pairs of shafts carrying said endless members, certain of said shafts being driven to effect travel of said endless members,

20. In a machine for treating hides and skins, a pair of work treating rolls between which the skin is passed for treatment thereof, a pair of endless members arranged to have operative runs moving away from each other upon opposite sides of the median line of the machine and of a hide or skin moving into the bite of said work treating rolls, said endless. members having ribbed plates operative to spread the hide or skin in opposite directions from said median line, pairs of shafts carrying said endless members, journal members for said shafts, a shaft extending parallel to said work treating rolls and spaced above the plane of the work contacting surfaces of said ribbed plates, sleeves carried by th last-mentioned shaft and supporting said journal members, and means operable by the operator to rock said sleeves about their supporting shafts thereby 'to press the ribbed plates more or less firmly into contact with the hide or skin so to vary the spreading tension of the ribbed plates in their spreading action on the hide or skin.

21. In a machine for treating sheet material, a pair of driven work treating rolls arranged for the introduction between them of a leading edge of a work piece for concurrent treatment of said work piece by said rolls, power driven spreader devices located on the feeding-in side of the Work treating rolls and operative to advance the said leading edge directly into the bite between said rolls and to remove folds or Wrinkles from the work piece.

22. In a machine for treating sheet material, power rotated rolls to grip a work piece for treatment by said rolls of the entire work piece in a single continuous operation, power driven opposed spreaders arranged on the feeding-in side of the rolls for advancing every portion of the said work piece directly to the roll treating position without folds or wrinkles.

23. In a machine for treating sheet material,

work treating rolls arranged for power operation 

